#32 in Popular science
I Contain Multitudes
- 368
- Pages
- about 7 h
- Reading time
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Our view
Ed Yong’s “I Contain Multitudes” turns the microbes that live in and on animals into a vivid, clearly told tour of biology. He explains by example, from a glowing squid to the bacteria of the human gut, and writes with open wonder at how much of life depends on these partnerships. Some readers who already knew the subject still report surprises. It suits anyone who likes science told through stories.
The view of the BookRank editors, written from readers’ ratings and comments. It does not affect the score or the book’s place in a ranking.
About the book
It's an entire world, a colony full of life. In other words, you contain multitudes. They sculpt our organs, protect us from diseases, guide our behaviour, and bombard us with their genes. They also hold the key to understanding all life on earth. In I Contain Multitudes, Ed Yong opens our eyes and invites us to marvel at ourselves and other animals in a new light, less as individuals and more as thriving ecosystems. You'll never think about your mind, body or preferences in the same way again. 'Super-interesting... He just keeps imparting one surprising, fascinating insight after the next. I Contain Multitudes is science journalism at its best' Bill Gates SHORTLISTED FOR THE WELLCOME BOOK PRIZE 2017 SHORTLISTED FOR THE ROYAL SOCIETY SCIENCE BOOK PRIZE 2017
Where the score comes from
The sources average 8.2 across 140 ratings — not yet many, so the reader vote carries 49% of the weight and the rest pulls toward the Popular science average of 8.3. That is how 8.2 comes out.
| Source | Average | Ratings | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open Library | 8.2 | 12 | 9% |
| Hardcover | 8.2 | 128 | 91% |
Frequently asked
How long is I Contain Multitudes?
It has 368 pages — longer than 65% of the ranked books in Popular science.
In this book
Themes this book shares with others — each leads to the best books on it.
If you liked this
Same shelf — Popular science — with scores between 7.9 and 8.6, closest to this book.
